Rolls-Royce counters the Connie with a baby Phantom based on the next-gen BMW 7-series.

Recent News

What for the majority of the past century has been a cordial, gentlemanly product-sharing relationship between Rolls-Royce and Bentley has spiraled into a glitzy, highbrow brawl now that the two brands are owned by BMW and Volkswagen, respectively.

The first hard punch was thrown by BMW with its line of massive $350,000-to-$400,000 Rolls-Royce Phantoms, which now is comprised of coupe and drophead coupe variants in addition to the limolike saloon.

Bentley has been hitting below the belt with its less expensive but far sportier Continental lineup of GT coupe, GTC convertible, and Flying Spur sedan body styles. At $175,000 to $200,000, it is selling by the thousands (and bringing home the bacon) for VW with no competition whatsoever from Rolls-Royce.

But look out, Bentley: Rolls-Royce is preparing its first Connie cutter for 2010, known internally as the RR4. Based on the upcoming 2010 BMW 7-series, the new supersedan will be smaller than the Phantom but will by no means be compact.

Indeed, it will be longer, wider, and taller than the standard 7-series and will ride on a longer wheelbase. Clearly, it will share much with its bigger brother, including slab-sided bodywork, a tapering tush, walk-on-in roof height, serious rear-seat legroom, coach-style—also known as “suicide”—rear doors, and, although we can’t see it here, Rolls-Royce’s trademark waterfall grille.

Given its decidedly sportier mission than that of the huge Phantom, this car is likely to get an even more powerful engine than the 453-hp DOHC 48-valve V-12 found under the bow of the Phantom. Besides, the bar has been set pretty high by the Flying Spur’s 553-hp twin-turbocharged W-12, a mill that enables the more aerodynamic Bentley to hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds as it charges toward a claimed 195-mph top speed.

But frankly, it’s anyone’s guess what will end up in the Roller’s engine bay. All we know is that it will be powerful, and there were early promises it would be unique. There are even rumors of a grotesquely torquey diesel, although previous discussions said that would not be the case.

This fight should get even more interesting when other body styles of the RR4—including a coupe and convertible—are introduced in subsequent years. Now it’s Bentley’s turn. All-new Arnage, anyone?